Crippled Silkie Rooster

[TiffanyL22]

Hey guys so I have had a silkie rooster stumbling all over the place now for a few weeks. He has been staying up in the house with the hens 24hours a day, and seems to have trouble walking. If he’s nudged by me he will kinda fall
Over, kick around to get back up and walks almost like he’s drunk. He appears otherwise healthy. Eating and drinking well. I brought him into the house tonight to give him some extra TLC and investigate for injuries or possible causes. Keep in mind I have had chickens for many years, and I have little experience with “injuries” per say. Upon examination I did not notice any external cuts or abnormalities. He has no trouble
Flapping his wings ha! Splish splash he went in the tub but otherwise I just say he enjoyed his bath and blowout!! ! Cut some poop build up off his bum feathers and he was looking and smelling fabulous!! When blow Drying him, he seems to always want to fall backwards?? If this means anything Ti anyone with more experience than me!? thought initially maybe a broken leg? But upon examination I didn’t really notice anything out of the ordinary. Keep in mind I wouldn’t know how to check for a broken leg. He’s one of a few roosters in his flock. I’m a registered nurse, but my expertise is humans not chickens! Haha! Any advice appreciated. Other than having difficulty mobilizing he seems to have good quality Of life. He seemed most comfortable perched on my leg after as well. If this means anything. Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sounds neurological. Wry Neck is a symptom. You can try giving vitamin therapy to see if that helps.
Daily give 400IU Vitamin E, 1/4 tablet B-Complex and a treat of egg.
If he's stumbling and can't balance, he's probably not eating the well. Provide him with chick starter and see that he's staying hydrated. If unable to eat on his own, then tube feeding him may be in order.

Some common causes of neurological symptoms are disease like Mareks, vitamin/nutritional deficiency or head trauma. With this being a Silkie - Marek's or Trauma may be a good bet - but either way, vitamin therapy is generally what's recommended.

 

[Loonchick]

Hey guys so I have had a silkie rooster stumbling all over the place now for a few weeks. He has been staying up in the house with the hens 24hours a day, and seems to have trouble walking. If he’s nudged by me he will kinda fall
Over, kick around to get back up and walks almost like he’s drunk. He appears otherwise healthy. Eating and drinking well. I brought him into the house tonight to give him some extra TLC and investigate for injuries or possible causes. Keep in mind I have had chickens for many years, and I have little experience with “injuries” per say. Upon examination I did not notice any external cuts or abnormalities. He has no trouble
Flapping his wings ha! Splish splash he went in the tub but otherwise I just say he enjoyed his bath and blowout!! ! Cut some poop build up off his bum feathers and he was looking and smelling fabulous!! When blow Drying him, he seems to always want to fall backwards?? If this means anything Ti anyone with more experience than me!? thought initially maybe a broken leg? But upon examination I didn’t really notice anything out of the ordinary. Keep in mind I wouldn’t know how to check for a broken leg. He’s one of a few roosters in his flock. I’m a registered nurse, but my expertise is humans not chickens! Haha! Any advice appreciated. Other than having difficulty mobilizing he seems to have good quality Of life. He seemed most comfortable perched on my leg after as well. If this means anything. Thanks in advance guys!

Hi, Tiffany,

I'm curious how you made out with your injured silkie? Fellow registered nurse here But a newbie to the chicken world!! It's like being floated to NICU/pediatrics as a surgical nurse!